Scroll compressor

ABSTRACT

A scroll compressor includes a shell; an orbiting scroll; a fixed scroll, the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll forming a compression component; a housing, configured to support the fixed scroll, with a gas passage throughout the housing and leading to the compression component; a motor below the housing, including: a rotor; a stator; a drive shaft connected with the orbiting scroll; a motor supporting shell tube, wherein the tube is in the shell, an upper end of the tube is connected with the housing, and the rotor and the stator are in the tube; a first suction inlet, at a lower portion of the shell; a second suction inlet, at a lower portion of the motor tube; and a first passage formed by a gap between the shell and the tube, gas from the first suction inlet entering the compression component through the gas passage along the first passage.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant hereby claims foreign priority benefits under U.S.C. §119 from Chinese Patent Application Serial No. CN201410254959.8 filed on Jun. 10, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of refrigeration and air conditioning technologies, and particularly, to a scroll compressor.

BACKGROUND

Current scroll compressors are costly, while it is difficult to achieve high efficiency and high reliability of the current scroll compressors.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide a scroll compressor, thereby improving efficiency and reliability of the scroll compressor and reducing manufacturing costs of the scroll compressor.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a scroll compressor. The scroll compressor includes a shell; an orbiting scroll disposed in the shell; a fixed scroll disposed in the housing shell, the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll together forming a compression component; a housing, configured to support the fixed scroll, and configured with a gas passage throughout the housing and leading to the compression component; a motor disposed below the housing and including: a rotor; a stator; a drive shaft connected with the orbiting scroll; and a motor supporting shell tube, wherein the motor supporting shell tube is disposed in the shell, an upper end of the motor supporting shell tube is connected with the housing, and the rotor and the stator are disposed in the motor supporting shell tube; a first suction inlet, configured at a lower portion of the shell; a second suction inlet, configured at a lower portion of the motor supporting shell tube; and a first passage formed by a gap between the shell and the motor supporting shell tube, wherein gas sucked from the first suction inlet enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing along the first passage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: a second passage formed by a gap between the rotor and the stator, wherein the gas sucked from the first suction inlet enters the second passage via the second suction inlet and enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing along the second passage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes an oil sump disposed at the bottom of the shell, wherein lubricating oil from the compression component returns to the oil sump through the first passage.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: a counterweight, wherein the counterweight is located in the motor supporting shell tube, connected with the drive shaft of the motor, located between the housing and the motor in an axial direction, and located between the drive shaft and a sidewall of the motor supporting shell tube in a radial direction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: a sealing part, configured to seal a lower end of the motor supporting shell tube.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: a key portion formed on one of the fixed scroll and the housing, and a recessed portion formed on the other one of the fixed scroll and the housing to be fit with the key portion; wherein the key portion and the recessed portion are configured to align the fixed scroll with the housing in a radial direction and fix relative positions of the fixed scroll and the rack in a radial direction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the drive shaft of the motor is a stepped shaft, and comprises a first section located at an end portion and connected with the orbiting scroll, a second section adjacent to the first section, and a third section adjacent to the second section, wherein the diameter of the first section is less than that of the second section, the diameter of the second section is less than that of the third section, and the counterweight is mounted on the second section of the drive shaft.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: a support component; wherein the support component is disposed in the motor supporting shell tube and configured to support a lower end of the drive shaft of the motor, and a peripheral portion of the support component is connected with the motor supporting shell tube.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the scroll compressor further includes: an oil sump disposed at the bottom of the housing, and

a support component;

wherein the support component is disposed in the motor supporting shell tube and configured to support a lower end of the drive shaft of the motor;

wherein the support component comprises an annular section which is located in the center and which has a center hole, and a plurality of arm portions radially extending outwards from the annular section; wherein and at least one part of each of the plurality of arm portions is immersed in lubricating oil in the oil sump.

According to an aspect of the present invention, end portions on peripheral sides of the plurality of arm portions are connected with the motor supporting shell tube.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the counterweight includes: a hub portion, wherein the counterweight is mounted on the drive shaft through the hub portion, a fan-shaped section radially extending outwards from the hub portion, and an edge section at a radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the edge section extends to an axial direction from the radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the shell is a cylindrical housing without a neck-in part.

According to some technical solutions of the present invention, refrigerant flows are distributed properly, and can cool the motor more effectively.

In addition, the counterweight may be in a flat shape, which can reduce weight and costs. The counterweight is in a closed space, which increases disturbance to the refrigerant flows, increases a mass flow rate of the second passage, and enhances cooling of the motor. Besides, according to the structure of the present invention, it is easier to assemble the counterweight.

Moreover, it is easier to machine the rack and deviation between the fixed scroll and the rack is reduced because a key portion and a recessed portion fit with the key portion are disposed on the fixed scroll and the housing.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a rear surface of the fixed scroll is an inclined surface, and the inclined surface is connected with an annular outer surface (the fixed scroll and the rack are secured with bolts on this part) through a radial surface, which reduces costs.

According to the present invention, because the drive shaft of the motor is a stepped shaft, the counterweight can be assembled easily, a bearing surface of the housing will not be damaged during assembly, and assembly of related members is much easier.

The support component according to embodiments of the present invention has high strength, so that the drive shaft of the motor is more stable during operation of the scroll compressor, which improves reliability of the scroll compressor. In addition, costs of the support component are low and complexity of an assembly process is reduced. Besides, due to use of the arm portions, disturbance of the lubricating oil in the oil sump is prevented. The support component according to the present invention reduces alignment tolerance of the scroll compressor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a scroll compressor according to an example of the present invention;

FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams of a counterweight of a scroll compressor according to an example of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 are schematic diagrams of a support component of a scroll compressor according to an example of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, a scroll compressor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a shell 8; an orbiting scroll 4 disposed in the shell 8; a fixed scroll 5 disposed in the shell 8, and an oil sump 30 disposed at the bottom of the shell 8 and configured to accumulate lubricating oil. The orbiting scroll 4 and the fixed scroll 5 together form a compression component. The scroll compressor further includes: a housing 2 and a motor 1. The housing 2 is configured to support the fixed scroll 5. The housing 2 has a gas passage throughout the housing 2 and leading to the compression component, for example, a gas passage axially throughout the housing 2 and leading to the compression component. The motor 1 is disposed below the housing 2 and includes a rotor 12, a stator 13, a drive shaft 3 passing through the rotor 12 and connected with the rotor 12, and a motor supporting shell tube 11. The drive shaft 3 is connected with the orbiting scroll 4, the motor supporting shell tube 11 is disposed in the shell 8, an upper end of the motor supporting shell tube 11 is connected with the housing 2 and the rotor 12 and the stator 13 are disposed in a space formed by the motor supporting shell tube 11. The motor supporting shell tube 11 is connected with the stator 13, and is configured to keep the stator 13, the rotor 12 and the drive shaft 3 in the shell 8. The motor supporting shell tube 11 may be cylindrical, and the scroll compressor may further include a sealing part 32, configured to seal a lower end of the motor supporting shell tube 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scroll compressor further includes: a first suction inlet 15, a second suction inlet 16, a first passage 18 and a second passage 17. The first suction inlet 15 is throughout a lower portion of the shell 8, and an air suction pipe may be disposed on the first suction inlet 15. The second suction inlet 16 is throughout a lower portion of the motor supporting shell tube 11. The second passage 17 is formed by a gap between the rotor 12 and the stator 13, and gas sucked from the first suction inlet 15 enters the second passage 17 via the second suction inlet 16 and enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing 2. The orbiting scroll 4 is supported on a thrust supporting surface of the housing 2. The fixed scroll 5 is connected with the housing 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first passage 18 is formed by a gap between the shell 8 and the motor supporting shell tube 11, and the gas sucked from the first suction inlet 15 enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing 2 via the first passage 18. Lubricating oil from the compression component returns to the oil sump 30 through the first passage 18. The lubricating oil can be transported to the compression component through a through hole in the drive shaft 3 of the motor 1, and returns to the oil sump 30 along the first passage 18.

In the structure in the embodiment of the present invention, refrigerant gas flows are distributed properly and can cool the motor more effectively because refrigerant enters the compression component through the first passage 18 and the second passage 17 and the lubricating oil returns to the oil sump 30 through the first passage 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, the scroll compressor further includes: a counterweight 31, wherein the counterweight 31 is connected with the drive shaft 3 of the motor 1, located between the housing 2 and the motor 1 in an axial direction, and located between the drive shaft 3 and the motor supporting shell tube in a radial direction. The counterweight 31 is rotatable in the motor supporting shell tube 11.

As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the counterweight 31 includes a hub portion 311, and the counterweight is mounted on the drive shaft 3 through the hub portion 311. The counterweight 31 further includes: a fan-shaped section 312 radially extending outwards from the hub portion 311, and an edge section 313 at a radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section 312. The edge section 313 may extend to in an axial direction from the radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section 312. The fan-shaped section 312 may be a plate-like fan-shaped section, and a central angle corresponding to the fan-shaped section 312 may be less than 180 degrees. The edge section 313 may be in a shape of a substantially circular arc, and forms a step on the fan-shaped section 312. The hub portion 311, the fan-shaped section 312 and the edge section 313 are formed by surfaces extending along an axial direction and surfaces extending along a radial direction. The fan-shaped section 312 is substantially perpendicular to the edge section 313, forming an L shape.

The weight and costs of the counterweight can be reduced because of the above structure. The counterweight 31 is in a closed space, and rotation of the counterweight increases disturbance to the refrigerant flows, increases a mass flow rate of the second passage 17, and enhances cooling of the motor 1. Besides, the counterweight 31 according to the structure of the present invention can be assembled easily.

The scroll compressor may further include: a key portion (not shown) formed on one of the fixed scroll 5 and the housing 2, and a recessed portion (not shown) formed on the other one of the fixed scroll 5 and the housing 2 to be fitted with the key portion. The key portion and the recessed portion are configured to align the fixed scroll 5 with the housing 2 in a radial direction and fix relative position of the fixed scroll 5 and the housing 2 in the radial direction. For example, the key portion and the recessed portion are formed respectively at contact positions of external-peripheral portions of the fixed scroll 5 and the housing 2. In this way, it is easier to machine the housing 2, and deviation between the fixed scroll 5 and the housing 2 is reduced.

According to an implementation manner of the present invention, a surface (upper surface) of one side of the fixed scroll 5 away from the orbiting scroll 4 includes: a center surface located in the central part, an annular inclined surface radially extending outwards from the center surface towards one side (lower side) of the orbiting scroll 4, an annular outer surface on the outermost side in the radial direction, and a curved surface connected between the annular inclined surface and the annular outer surface. The fixed scroll and the housing can be fixed on the annular outer surface with bolts. In this way, materials are used properly, strength is ensured, and costs are reduced.

In an implementation manner of the present invention, the shell 8 may be a cylindrical housing without a neck-in portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drive shaft 3 of the motor 1 may be a stepped shaft, and includes a first section 37 located at an end portion and connected with the orbiting scroll 4 and a second section adjacent to the first section 37, wherein the diameter of the first section is less than that of the second section. Alternatively, the drive shaft 3 of the motor 1 may be a stepped shaft, and includes a first section 37 located at an end portion and connected with the orbiting scroll 4, a second section 38 adjacent to the first section 37, and a third section 39 adjacent to the second section 38, wherein the diameter of the first section 37 is less than that of the second section 38, the diameter of the second section 38 is less than that of the third section 39, and the counterweight 31 is mounted on the second section 38 of the drive shaft 3. Due to use of the stepped shaft, it is easier to assemble the counterweight, a bearing surface of the housing 2 may not be damaged during assembly, and assembly of related members is also much easier.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the scroll compressor may further include: a support component 50. The support component 50 is disposed in the motor supporting shell tube 11 and configured to support a lower end of the drive shaft 3 of the motor 1, and a peripheral portion of the support component 50 is connected with the motor supporting shell tube 11. The support component may include an annular section 51 which is located in the center and which has a central hole, and a plurality of arm portions 52 radially extending outwards from the annular section 51, and at least one part of the plurality of arm portions 52 are immersed in lubricating oil in the oil sump 30; end portions on peripheral sides of the plurality of arm portions 52 are connected with the motor supporting shell tube 11. Each of the arm portions 52 may have a width gradually decreased from the annular section 51 to the end portion of its peripheral side. In this way, each arm portion has higher strength at the annular section 51 than at the end portion of its peripheral side.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the scroll compressor may further include a bracket disposed at a lower end of the motor and configured to support the motor. In an axial direction, the support component 50 is disposed between the motor 1 and the bracket, so as to keep the parts in the shell of the scroll compressor coaxial.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the support component 50 further includes a bearing portion 53. The bearing portion 53 may be an annular bushing. In this way, the bearing portion 53 has a simple structure and very few machining surface, and the bearing portion has high strength and low tolerance and may be machined more easily. The drive shaft of the motor is supported between the bearing surface of the housing and the bearing portion of the support component, so that the drive shaft of the motor is more stable.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 to FIG. 9, the bearing portion 53 in the center of the support component 50 is used as a journal bearing, and an upper surface of the bearing portion 53 of the support component 50 is used as a thrust bearing, to support the drive shaft of the motor; the annular section 51 and the bearing portion 53 in the center have a slot part 55, and the slot part 55 makes the center hole in direct communication with the outside in a radial direction, and is used as a discharge passage of oil and sewage. In an example, the annular section 51 and the arm portions are used as a bearing plate.

The bearing plate is connected with the bearing portion 53, in order to stabilize lubricating oil in the oil sump at the bottom of the shell of the scroll compressor.

The bearing portion of the support component according to the embodiment of the present invention has high strength, so that the drive shaft of the motor is more stable during operation of the scroll compressor, which improves reliability of the scroll compressor. In addition, costs of the support component are low and complexity of an assembly process is reduced. Besides, disturbance of the lubricating oil in the oil sump is prevented due to use of the arm portions. The support component according to the embodiment of the present invention reduces alignment tolerance of the scroll compressor.

The foregoing only provides some embodiments of the present invention, and persons of ordinary skill in the art shall understand that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principle of the general inventive concept; the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A scroll compressor, comprising: a shell; an orbiting scroll disposed in the shell; a fixed scroll disposed in the housing shell, the orbiting scroll and the fixed scroll together forming a compression component; a housing, configured to support the fixed scroll, and configured with a gas passage throughout the housing and leading to the compression component; a motor disposed below the housing and comprising: a rotor; a stator; a drive shaft connected with the orbiting scroll; and a motor supporting shell tube, wherein the motor supporting shell tube is disposed in the shell, an upper end of the motor supporting shell tube is connected with the housing, and the rotor and the stator are disposed in the motor supporting shell tube; a first suction inlet, configured at a lower portion of the shell; a second suction inlet, configured at a lower portion of the motor supporting shell tube; and a first passage formed by a gap between the shell and the motor supporting shell tube, wherein gas sucked from the first suction inlet enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing along the first passage.
 2. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: a second passage formed by a gap between the rotor and the stator, wherein the gas sucked from the first suction inlet enters the second passage via the second suction inlet and enters the compression component through the gas passage formed in the housing along the second passage.
 3. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: an oil sump disposed at the bottom of the shell, wherein lubricating oil from the compression component returns to the oil sump through the first passage.
 4. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing part, configured to seal a lower end of the motor supporting shell tube.
 5. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: a key portion formed on one of the fixed scroll and the housing, and a recessed portion formed on the other one of the fixed scroll and the housing to be fit with the key portion; wherein the key portion and the recessed portion are configured to align the fixed scroll with the housing in a radial direction and fix relative positions of the fixed scroll and the rack in a radial direction.
 6. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: a counterweight, wherein the counterweight is located in the motor supporting shell tube, connected with the drive shaft of the motor, located between the housing and the motor in an axial direction, and located between the drive shaft and a sidewall of the motor supporting shell tube in a radial direction.
 7. The scroll compressor according to claim 6, wherein the drive shaft of the motor is a stepped shaft, and comprises a first section located at an end portion and connected with the orbiting scroll, a second section adjacent to the first section, and a third section adjacent to the second section, wherein the diameter of the first section is less than that of the second section, the diameter of the second section is less than that of the third section, and the counterweight is mounted on the second section of the drive shaft.
 8. The scroll compressor according to claim 6, wherein the counterweight comprises: a hub portion, wherein the counterweight is mounted on the drive shaft through the hub portion, a fan-shaped section radially extending outwards from the hub portion, and an edge section at a radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section.
 9. The scroll compressor according to claim 8, wherein the edge section extends to an axial direction from the radial outer edge of the fan-shaped section.
 10. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: a support component; wherein the support component is disposed in the motor supporting shell tube and configured to support a lower end of the drive shaft of the motor, and a peripheral portion of the support component is connected with the motor supporting shell tube.
 11. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, further comprising: an oil sump disposed at the bottom of the housing, and a support component; wherein the support component is disposed in the motor supporting shell tube and configured to support a lower end of the drive shaft of the motor; wherein the support component comprises an annular section which is located in the center and which has a center hole, and a plurality of arm portions radially extending outwards from the annular section; wherein and at least one part of each of the plurality of arm portions is immersed in lubricating oil in the oil sump.
 12. The scroll compressor according to claim 11, wherein end portions on peripheral sides of the plurality of arm portions are connected with the motor supporting shell tube.
 13. The scroll compressor according to claim 1, wherein the shell is a cylindrical housing without a neck-in part. 